ENTEBBE – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the successful hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), pledging full financial support, accelerated infrastructure development, and closer regional cooperation to ensure Uganda is ready for the continental showpiece.
During a meeting with the AFCON Local Organising Committee at State House Entebbe on Wednesday, President Museveni assured officials that Government would provide the resources required to deliver all Uganda’s commitments within the timelines set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Uganda will co-host the 2027 AFCON tournament together with Kenya and Tanzania under the East African Pamoja partnership, marking the first time the competition will be staged in the region.
A key outcome of the meeting was the President’s backing of a proposal to introduce a single East African entry visa that would allow football fans, tourists, officials and participating teams to travel freely across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania throughout the tournament without obtaining separate visas.
“This is common sense. I support it,” President Museveni said, directing that discussions be initiated with his counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania to operationalise the arrangement before the tournament.
The proposal was presented by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja as she updated the President on Uganda’s preparations.
“Your Excellency, this issue of the entry visa is very important. If somebody is coming to Uganda, they should also be able to access Kenya and Tanzania using the same visa for four months,” Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said.
Acting Commissioner for Citizenship and Immigration Control, Col Geoffrey Brian Kambere, informed the meeting that Uganda already operates a similar visa arrangement with Kenya and Rwanda under the Coalition of the Willing framework.
“That is the spirit of Africa—having one visa so that people can move freely within East Africa. Currently, the arrangement exists between Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. The objective now is to mobilise our neighbours under the Pamoja arrangement so that Tanzania also joins,” Col Kambere said.
The meeting also reviewed progress on Uganda’s infrastructure projects ahead of CAF’s next inspection scheduled for August 31, 2026.
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said Government is working against tight deadlines to complete all priority projects by December 31, 2026. These include the upgrading of Mandela National Stadium, completion of AFCON training facilities, the passenger terminal at Kabalega International Airport, road infrastructure around Hoima City Stadium and other host areas, as well as the 148-kilometre Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road.
“Your Excellency, we are time-bound when it comes to all these projects. The completion date should be 31st December,” she said.
Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang said CAF had already provided Uganda with a detailed infrastructure delivery schedule following its inspection in January 2024. He noted that Government had adopted a whole-of-government approach, with ministries, departments and agencies assigned specific responsibilities.
“Following your guidance and the directive to Cabinet, preparations for hosting the 2027 AFCON tournament are being implemented under a whole-of-government approach. Every ministry, department and agency is aware of its expected deliverables and timelines,” Hon. Ogwang said.
Minister of Works and Transport Hon. Fred Byamukama assured the President that construction of the Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road would be completed on schedule.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Henry Musasizi said funding for the approved AFCON projects had been provided for in the current financial year and would be released in time to keep implementation on track.
“The most important point is that AFCON has strict timelines, which means these activities must be completed ahead of time. Most of the funding being discussed has already been provided for in the Financial Year that has just commenced,” Hon. Musasizi said.
The meeting was attended by several Cabinet ministers, including Defence Minister Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Acting Education Minister Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister Hon. Minsa Kabanda, Water and Environment Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire, State Minister for Local Government Hon. Justine Nameere, State Minister for Defence Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, and State Minister for National Guidance Hon. Odria Alioni.
Also present were Permanent Secretaries Dr Diana Atwine (Health), Ms Rosette Byengoma (Defence), Dr Aminah Zawedde (ICT and National Guidance), FUFA President Moses Magogo, KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, and other members of the AFCON Local Organising Committee.